I don’t think even man’s best friend would appreciate the spectacular dog’s dinner which is this Sheridan/Linley alleged opera The Duenna.

This is by no means an opera in the sense which we nowadays expect, nor even before this hybrid came into existence (Monteverdi, Handel and others can provide evidence). This is a play with music, tiresome Sheridan text parasitical on centuries-old standard plots and vocal numbers drawn from all kinds of sources; Thomas Linley the Younger the most estimable contributor.

So this is close to the world of Gilbert and Sullivan, which was to grace us a century later, and indeed the best parts of this taxing evening from English Touring Opera were when Richard Suart as the duped old Don Jerome, and a G&S stalwart, was strutting his charismatic stuff, both vocally and in dialogue. Nuala Willis as the Duenna excelled too.

There is an inordinate amount of dialogue here, and the impact of its delivery was variable as, unfortunately, was the standard of the singing, some of the voices undergraduate in lack of development, some of the vibrato shrill to the point of irritation. What a joy it was to hear the pure, clear soprano of Olivia Safe’s Clara.

Orchestral playing under Joseph McHardy was tight and secure, Michael Barker-Caven’s direction moved wittily over Adam Wiltshire’s pretty and versatile set. But clouds gather: in this period of cuts everyone needs to look carefully as to what they are offering.

Rating: 2/5